It was a long day already. Our Thursday had been jam packed at our training center. The day started early with breakfast, followed by a morning devotion, team time, prayer, and two hard core, intense teachings. After a lunch meeting , we then had an appointment with a young but wise business leader in our community. Listening to his faith, testimony, and leadership, left us inspired. We then did some more prayer at the SEND house, and had a meeting with a SEND grad. Quick dinner and family time for a half hour and it was then time to head back out into the world. Time for some SEND mission work.

Thursday night @ 7 we arrived at a prayer chapel in a housing complex. This outreach chapel is open two nights a week and available for folks who live there. It is always an eye opening experience serving here. Folks stop by for prayer requests, food, coffee, or just to talk and hang out. In our community it is always a sobering experience to do life with some of these folks. Our goal is always to build relationships, love them, listen and to try and bring light in their world which sometimes is very dark. If you want reality, go and hang out in the world. This is what our mission that night was all about.

His name was Joe. He was in his early 30's and had an almost pleasant vibe around him. When meeting folks out on the mission field, you can never let the outer shell help you discern the person. Never judge a book by it's cover is a quote I always think of in regards to this. The truth was that Joe had just hit rock bottom. He sat down and talked. We listened and our hearts just broke as we spent the hour with our new found brother and friend.

In Joe's short life he has done two prison stints. One out west and one here in Indiana. Having been on parole, he moved back here because of his family. His wife and kids live in the area. He loves his kids. He is trying to change and be the best dad he can. But life, old ways, people, addictions, and things keep pulling him back to his old ways. The definition of insanity. It had gotten so bad over the last few weeks that he ended up homeless right in our town. Broken. Had lost everything... again.

The Good News: Jesus. Joe found out about a room used for homeless folks in the complex that we were in. He has gotten shelter, food, and now this chapel. There is no way to go but up. He believes in Jesus, he is reading the bible and wants to do whatever it takes to get his family back. He has been given signs that the Lord is real. He just found a good paying job (He has no i.d. and is a felon) which is a miracle and he has folks praying for him. Our time with him was incredible because he has hope in his eyes. He wanted to pray and left the chapel in good spirits. Just a week before you couldn't imagine the dark depression and living hell he was experiencing. It is now all up to him and the Lord. If you are reading this, please keep this brother in prayer. That night I had trouble sleeping. I felt so blessed and grateful for my life.

Most folks wonder what doing mission is or think they have to go to a 3rd world country to do it. No, it is going and serving right in your own community. Loving people and doing life with them. Pretty simple. Chapter 15 in Romans starts out with this. Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped. (MSG)

What an incredible start of 2013 we have had! We are beyond grateful to all the teachers, supporters, ministries, and churches we are doing life with. For this month, SEND North America would like to thank: Our teachers: Jason A., Pastor Chrysanne T., Pastor Tom S., Pastor Mike A., Dr. Barry K., Jon Z., Tracee S., Dr. Kent H., Pastor Bob S., Travis W.! We have been busy doing ministry and mission and have been blessed by: Rev. Pamela L., Miguel T., Zach H., Joshua H., Elizabeth C., Pastor Bob M., Pastor Adam D., Jim and Barbara B., Shanan M., Tim K., Mary Beth K., Pastor 

Thank you to the following churches that SEND has worshiped with: Trinity Church Kendallville, Destiny Family of Faith, New Hope Christian Center, Winter Jam, Troy Presbyterian, Columbia City!

To all the businesses that support SEND in many ways: Joanna's Coffee Shop, Hayden ATA, Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Dude's Coffee Shop, Good Steward Books, Maria's House of Pancakes, Cahoots Coffee Shop, and Summer's Stories!  

What an honor to serve with the following ministries this month: Lighthouse Prayer Chapel, CDM Missionary Boot Camp, Restoration Church Kendallville, The Crossing School in Ft Wayne, Solomon's Porch, Christian Campus House and Trine University!